Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division

National Information

"The Environmental Protection Agency will continue to vigorously enforce our nation's environmental laws," said EPA, Region 6, Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Division Director, John Blevins. "In close partnership with our State, Tribal, and local partners, Region 6 efforts continue to move us towards our ultimate goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for all communities."

Our mission is to promote compliance with Federal environmental regulations in partnership with our States and Tribes.

Our vision is to make environmental compliance commonplace and to establish a culture that promotes going beyond compliance through collaboration, innovation and partnership.

We value teamwork, open communication, professionalism, integrity, creativity and fairness.

Organization Chart (20kb pdf, 1pp) ( About PDF)

Recent Enforcement Actions

Recent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documents

2011—2013 National Enforcement Initiatives

Reducing Air Pollution from the Largest Sources
Keeping Raw Sewage and Contaminated Stormwater Out of Our Nation’s Waters
Cutting Hazardous Air Pollutants
Preventing Animal Waste from Contaminating Surface and Ground Water
Assuring Energy Extraction Activities Comply with Environmental Laws
Reducing Pollution from Mineral Processing Operations

CAED Information

Region 6 State Partners

CAED Accomplishments

Annual Results
FY 12
FY 11
FY 10
FY 09

Annual
Reports ( About PDF)
12 Annual Report (2 MB, 17pp)
11 Annual Report (2 MB, 24pp)
10 Annual Report (16MB, 49pp)
09 Annual Report (5 MB, 41pp)

2013 Regional Priorities

Air Enforcement
- Develop Transparent and Real Time Enforcement to Address Air Releases (upsets and malfunctions)
- Work with local industry to reduce flaring

Hazardous Waste Enforcement
- Ensure Appropriate and Safe Waste Management
- Ensure Treatment Facilities are Permitted

Water Enforcement
- Properly Managing Brine Spills from Oil & Gas Operations
- Address Bacterial Impairment in our Stream Segments
- Ensure Everyone's Water is Safe to Drink

CAED In the News and Other Actions

Region 6 Federal Facilities Program Conference
The Region 6 Federal Facilities Program Conference will convene, June 25-26, 2013, in the Dallas, Texas, regional office conference center. The EPA Federal Green Challenge winners for 2013, Department of Justice, Federal Aviation Administration, General Service Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Veterans Administration will be recognized by the Regional Administrator. Environmental managers from the Federal facility regulated community in the Region will attend to obtain regulatory updates and compliance assistance from EPA Headquarters and regional media experts. This meeting will provide a forum for the facilities to address their concerns about the environmental regulations and areas of concern observed during onsite inspections. The facilities will attend the conference onsite, via video teleconference and by telephone call in – a first for this meeting.

Roca Honda Uranium Mine Project
The NEPA office issued a 309 comment letter to the Forest Service for the Roca Honda Uranium Mine Project draft Environmental Impact Statement on June 12, 2013. The project was rated EO-3 (Environmental Objections-Inadequate Information). The proposed mine would be located near Mt. Taylor in Cibola and McKinley County in New Mexico. Significant issues associated with the project are impacts to groundwater, post-closure obligations, characterization and treatment of the waste rock, and tribal cultural issues.

SpaceX Texas Launch Site, Cameron County, Texas
The NEPA office issued comments to the Federal Aviation Administration for the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the SpaceX Texas Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. The project was rated EO-2 (Environmental Objections and Request for Additional Information). Significant issues supporting the rating are impacts to aquatic resources of national importance, lack of appropriate compensatory mitigation plan, air quality, alternatives analysis, and environmental justice and tribal consultation.

Region 6 News Releases

Headquarters Newsroom

Top of Page

Office of Strategic Planning and Analyses manages cross-cutting programs, such as analyses of regional enforcement and compliance activities, compliance assistance, environmental assessments under the National Environmental Policy Act and more.

Air/Toxics Enforcement works with state, local and tribal governments, other federal agencies, businesses and community groups to implement and enforce the CAA regulations.

Hazardous Waste Enforcement provides guidance on all aspects of managing hazardous wastes and chemical substances; and offer compliance assistance to citizens, facilities, States, and Tribes.

Water Enforcement assures compliance and takes appropriate enforcement action against facilities for violations of the Clean Water and Safe Drinking Water acts, including animal feed lots, stormwater. Additional water quality information in Region 6 such as permits and grants.